How does an entrepreneur navigate the uncertainty and risk of starting their own business and know whether to keep going, stop, pivot or go even bigger?

In the 90’s, I had worked on one of the first internet banking products and one of the first online medical record companies. The idea that one’s financial or health information would be on the web, where potentially anyone could hack into it, was a major hurdle for customers. The internet banking company took off and was acquired by one of the largest financial institutions in the Midwest. However, the online medical records company didn’t do so well because it was ahead of its time. One success and one failure is a pretty good record in the world of startups.

I remember walking into a CEO roundtable discussion when I first started Coin Up. There were about a dozen men at the table and I was the only female in the room. “I don’t belong here” kept racing through my head. I wanted to turn around and walk right out, but it was too late, they already saw me. I sat down and decided to be more of a “listener.”

The point of this roundtable, though, was to go around the room and let everyone discuss (confidentially) any issues they were having at their companies. I couldn’t hide. At one point, one of the other CEOs brought up a financial issue and nobody had any feedback. The CFO inside of me knew the answer, but I was so nervous that no one else would agree with me, or worse, they would think I said something dumb. A quick battle ensued inside of me and finally the voice that didn’t want the other CEO to go without feedback won out. I asked him a couple of questions about his financials and then gave him some solutions. Suddenly, other CEOs chimed in. The expertise I had built did earn me a seat at that table. In fact, afterwards, five of the CEOs came up to me and gave me their cards, saying if I needed any advice, connections or other support for my business they were happy to help.

Does a situation like this make you nervous or energize you? These are questions you might want to ponder when starting, and building, your company.

Here are three other lessons I learned:

1. Find the experts. Buy competitor products, go to industry conferences and read feverishly. By filling yourself with information—you will start to build a filter of what fits for your company and what does not.

2. Analyze your data. Put together charts and map out patterns to understand the nuances of what makes your industry, and ultimately your product, valuable to your audience. Here’s a good place to start to understand your company metrics: Scoro Business Metrics.

If you’re asking the right questions, you’ll see progress. Does your network inspire you? Do they connect you to others who are valuable for your business? Is my product or company enhancing people’s lives or solving their problems? Am I holding myself back by letting my fear drown out my strengths?

Ask yourself these questions every day and slowly you’ll find yourself building your company and your confidence at the same time.

Leena Patidar is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and the CEO and cofounder of Coin Up, an app that allows people to round up and donate their change from purchases to charity.

I’m Nancy F. Clark, author of The Positive Journal, and curator of Forbes WomensMedia. My team helps businesswomen succeed and live happier and more fulfilling lives.